Mackay economy takes a hit

With the economy at a low , due to the domino effect of the GFC, followed by the unprecedented natural disasters , many local businesses are feeling the waves of gloom, which is also unprecedented for our community.

Talks with many professional people in the area of small business profitabilty, has confirmed that the Mackay economy has taken a hit, right across the board.The hit may well be transient, but never the less, many of us may need to put survival plans into place.

It is important to pass on the message of buying locally, getting work performed locally, and at least giving the local people a chance.
Access to the Internet has also made competitiveness a much greater issue. The local people, who are the bread and butter of ALL local business, deserve to be the first choice in any matter, when competitive alternatives are sought. The light at the end of the tunnel looks bright for our community, but many have to find a way to survive the next 8 or so months.
Keep local business strong, shop locally!

Shopping on the Internet has been discussed at length over the past few
months, and unless business takes hold of the technology, they may find
themselves left behind. People can still be encouraged to shop locally, by
embracing the new technology, as long as the local population is encouraged to do so.

The national economic climate is seeing out of town companies targeting out
local area, by undercutting, by wooing clients with their high profiles, and by establishing network connections , to benefit their own bottom lines. Clients can be faced with the promise of ease and less time spent, rationalizing that 'time means money', however, many local people are not given the chance to provide competitive prices. The opportunities are missed because they are not given in the first place. The fly by nighters come in and do the work, and disappear, providing no future benefit to the community. The local businesses starve and disappear, and therefore yet an other avenue of revenue is halted, to support our local businesses. By dealing out of town, the new or established companies striving to establish a successful business, and thinking that they are cutting their costs, are thereby cutting their own throat.
The further irony is that, given the chance, local business can usually equal if not better any pricing given by out of town suppliers. The bottom line is usually realized after the event, when all the costs are added up. Honesty and integrity is at the forefront of most local business, as they have the most to lose.

Please remember this, the next time you want to buy, want to get a quote, want to get a service. Always give the locals the first chance, because,
ultimately, it is the flow on money from these people who will make or break your business.If you are in business, encourage this practise to your peers and to your associates, and to your customers.